-
Research Director, Inc. Presents Exclusive Nov. PPM Analysis For N.Y., L.A., Chicago, S.F. And Dallas
November 24, 2014
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. NEW YORK: One For The Thumb
-
Being the data-driven folk that we are, numbers always interest us. Take, for example, your typical NIELSEN PPM survey. It is composed of four, seven day “weeks.” By a simple calculation, we can determine that a full survey period equals 28 days. The month of NOVEMBER hath 30 days. So, one would reasonably assume that the NOVEMBER survey could fit nicely into the NOVEMBER month. Alas, twas not to be. The NOVEMBER survey actually ran from OCTOBER 9th through NOVEMBER 5th. A quick check shows that only 17.9% (we rounded) of the survey was in the actual month.
Just thought you should know … now back to the countdown:
NEW YORK: One For The Thumb
For the fifth consecutive survey, CBS RADIO Classic Hits WCBS-F was #1. This time the station had a rather large jump (6.1-7.1) and opened up a significant lead on the #2 station. That was iHEARTMEDIA AC WLTW (LITE FM), which ended a four-book skid (5.4-5.6) to take over sole possession of the runner-up position. Of course, all this could change next survey when that big, fat red Polar Vortex descends upon the market. iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WHTZ (Z100) had its best month since JULY (5.1-5.5) to move forward one square to #3. SBS Tropical WSKQ (LA MEGA) had enough of an increase (5.0-5.1) to also make a one-step jump to #4. EMMIS Urban AC WBLS had its lowest share in over a year (5.4-4.9) and dropped three spots to #5. There must have been something newsworthy as CBS RADIO News WINS-A had its best book since FEBRUARY (3.6-4.0) but remained at #8.
Last month, WCBS-F ended a two-book run at the top 25-54 and fell down to #4. Well, it might appear that was less the norm as the station returned to #1 with another large increase in share. WHTZ had its highest share since MAY but still dropped back to #2. WLTW moved up to #3 as it ended a four-book slide here, as well. If we want to play the prediction game (why not), last year the station was #1 in this demo and had a nice increase in the DECEMBER book. Will history repeat or will the elves work their magic? Two stations slid down the pole to end up at #4. WSKQ had its lowest share in over a year to drop from #3 while WBLS had its lowest output since FEBRUARY to fall from #2. iHEARTMEDIA Urban WWPR (POWER) had its best number in over a year to climb to #6.
There was quite the drama 18-34. To begin with, WWPR had a huge increase and jumped from #3 to #1. WHTZ was off slightly but that was enough to drop the station back to #2. WSKQ had its lowest share since the last time sleigh bells were ringing and slipped back to #3. EMMIS Top 40/R WQHT (HOT) cooled off a bit but remained at #4 while iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WKTU landed its best book since MAY to rise two places to #5. The two stations welded together at #5 last month dropped a bit farther off the pace. UNIVISION Spanish Contemporary WXNY was flat but still fell back into a tie at #6. CBS RADIO Top 40/M WBMP (AMP) ended up at #8 despite only a slight decrease in share. WCBS-F had a huge book – unusual for this format in this demo – and leapt six spots to join WXNY in that tie for #6.
Once again, WHTZ had its highest share since MAY as it captured the 18-49 crown for the second month in a row. WSKQ maintained its grip on #2 despite its lowest share since you could hear what I heard. WWPR moved up to #3 with its best book in over a year while WCBS-F bounced back from a bad book to move up three spaces to #4. WLTW was up but still dropped back to #5 while WBLS dropped four spots to #7.
LOS ANGELES: Flat Is Good …
… if you happen to be iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KIIS (KISS FM). The station was on top of the world, Ma, for the third straight month by maintaining the status quo (5.3-5.3). While it was a little too early to start with all the Yule tunes, iHEARTMEDIA AC KOST was in the pre-holiday spirit after landing its best book since FEBRUARY (4.1-5.2) as it moved up three spots to #2. Last month’s market co-leader – iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KBIG (MY FM) – posted its lowest book in over a year (5.3-4.7) to fall back to #3. EMMIS Top 40/R KPWR (POWER) lost a bit of share (4.5-4.3) and slipped a spot to #4 while CBS RADIO Classic Hits KRTH (K-EARTH) also fell one space – to #5 – even though it was flat (4.2-4.2). CBS RADIO Top 40/M KAMP (AMP) fell from the top five to #6 as it had a tiny share loss (4.1-4.0).
KIIS was up for the fourth month in a row 25-54 and its most current number not only kept the station at #1 but was its highest since APRIL. As we saw above, KOST had a huge increase here and moved up from #6 to #2. KBIG had its lowest month since JUNE to fall from a share of the lead to #3 while KPWR remained at #4 with a slight loss of share. There was a meeting of the minds at #5. KAMP remained in place with a small share loss while UNIVISION Spanish Contemporary KLVE (K-LOVE) dropped from #3 with a less smaller loss. BONNEVILLE Classic Rock KSWD (THE SOUND) has been on quite the tear lately. It just posted its best book in over a year to move up four places to a tie at #8. Even more noteworthy was that the station was close to doubling its share from the previous year.
The top five 18-34 remained the same with only a few small repairs. KPWR was still #1 despite a down book. Its lead went from huge to merely large as KIIS was up slightly at #2. KAMP and KBIG swapped spots at #3 and #4, respectively. The former had its lowest share since JUNE while the latter had its lowest in over a year. KLVE ended a four-book surge but held fast at #5.
KIIS racked up its second straight 18-49 win with its best performance since APRIL. The #2 deadlock was broken as KPWR remained in place despite a down book while KBIG dropped back to #3 with a slightly bigger down book. KOST moved up two spots to #4 with its highest share since the most wonderful time of the year. KAMP had its lowest total since JULY to fall back to #5 while KLVE dropped to #6 as it shed some share.
CHICAGO: Consistency Is A Virtue
For the last six surveys, iHEARTMEDIA Urban AC WVAZ (V103) has basically had the same number – a 5.9. This time it moved 5.7-5.9 and the result was the same – the station was #1 for the ninth month in a row. CBS RADIO News WBBM-A has been the #2 station during that entire time and has seen its number inch forward in each of the last three books (5.6-5.7). HUBBARD Hot AC WTMX (MIX) landed its best share in over a year (4.7-5.2) but “only” managed to move forward one square to #3. UNIVISION Regional Mexican WOJO (LA QUE BUENA) could not duplicate its 14-book high from the previous survey (4.8-4.6) and slid back to #4. Considering the station was sitting in a tie at #13 with a 2.7 share a year ago, that’s not a bad slide. iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M WKSC (KISS) remained at #5 with its lowest total since JUNE (4.5-4.3). Here’s an ironic thought. Could the lack of CUBS baseball be a boon for TRIBUNE N/T WGN-A? The station had its best book since JUNE (3.2-4.0) to move up five spots to #7.
For the ninth time this year, WTMX was #1 25-54. This time the station had its best book since FEBRUARY and opened up a sizeable advantage over #2 WVAZ, which was flat. WKSC was down for the second month in a row but managed to move forward one step to #3 while WOJO fell back to #4 – ending a two-book surge. CBS RADIO Top 40/M WBBM-F (B96) managed to move up a spot to #5 with a flat book. This displaced cluster-mate CBS RADIO Country WUSN (US 99.5), which was off slightly, to #6. In anticipation of its annual CHRISTMAS run, iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC WLIT (MY FM) moved up four spots to #7 with its highest share since MAY.
Prior to the APRIL survey, iHEARTMEDIA Urban WGCI routinely dominated the 18-34 arena. Then came a seven-month run at something less than dominating. Well, the station came back this time with its best book since MARCH – moving from #5 to #1. The three-way partnership at #2 was dissolved. WKSC was up a bit to claim control of the spot while WBBM-F was up, just not as much, as it fell back to #3. WOJO was off enough to drop it back to #6. CUMULUS Alternative WKQX scored its lowest share since JUNE as it landed at #4 – ending a three-book stay at the top. WTMX returned to the top five for the first time since JULY with its best book since, oddly, JULY.
After a two-month hiatus, WTMX returned to #1 18-49 with its best share in over a year. WKSC dropped back to #2 with a small loss of share. Last month’s three-way tie at #4 has been downgraded to a two-way and featured a new member. WVAZ used its best book since JULY to move up to #3 while WBBM-F remained in place with its highest share since AUGUST. It was joined at #4 by WOJO, which fell from #3 with a slight loss of share. Meanwhile, WKQX dropped to a tie at #7 with its lowest output since APRIL. WGCI was lurking just outside the top five after posting its largest total since JULY.
SAN FRANCISCO: This One Is Long Gone
Listeners dig the long ball. Especially when the home town nine goes seven games in a WORLD SERIES. If you’ve been following along, CUMULUS Sports KNBR-A has been hitting it out of the park all summer thanks to the GIANTS championship run. For their final curtain, the station pulled a monster share (6.6-8.9), which was more than double its number from last year and equal to a HOLIDAY book share. Wow. The other spoken-word stations also had solid books. CBS RADIO News KCBS-A remained at #2 with its best number since MAY (5.3-5.7). KQED INC N/T KQED logged its best performance since APRIL (5.0-5.2) to stand firm at #3. Then came those stations that play songs for a living. ENTERCOM AC KOIT was sturdy at #4 despite a down book (4.9-4.5). Three other stations decided it was time to move in together at #5. CBS RADIO Top 40/M KMVQ (NOW) didn’t budge despite its lowest share in over a year (4.5-3.9). iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/R KMEL posted its smallest number since MAY but moved up from #6 (4.4-3.9). And, iHEARTMEDIA Hot AC KIOI (STAR) made a two-step jump (3.7-3.9).
They couldn’t stop KNBR-A 25-54, they could only hope to contain them. In the eight months that covered the baseball season, the station was #1 six times. It was more than three shares ahead of its closest pursuer – KOIT – which was down but still #2. KMVQ was also down with its lowest share in over a year but held on at #3. It was tied by KQED, which moved up a spot with its highest share since JUNE. KIOI had a healthy increase to advance two squares to #5 while KMEL dropped two to a tie at #6 with its lowest output since JUNE.
Alas, baseball could not claim the 18-34 title … but it made a strong run. As per usual, KMEL was #1 but had its first single-digit share since JANUARY. KNBR-A was #12 in AUGUST, #10 in SEPTEMBER, #7 last month and ended up in a tie at #2 this survey. Quite the stretch run. iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/R KYLD (WILD) remained in that same #2 position as it, like KMEL, lost some share. KMVQ was off slightly but held fast at #4 while KIOI claimed #5 for the motherland despite a down book. The other half of last month’s #5 tie – iHEARTMEDIA Rhythmic AC KISQ (KISS) – dropped to #8. KOIT also fell three places – from #3 to #6 – as it surrendered a large chunk of share.
To paraphrase that great philosopher MEATLOAF – three out of four ain’t bad. KNBR took the 18-49 title with a number very close to what KOIT will likely corral in the HOLIDAY book. This ended KMEL’s four-book run at #1 as the station had its smallest book in over a year to land at #2. KMVQ remained anchored at #3 despite losing some ballast. KYLD and KOIT swapped spots at #4 and #5. The former had its lowest output since JANUARY, the latter was just down.
DALLAS-FT. WORTH: A Landslide Victory
We’re not talking about the recent election, rather, about the performance of iHEARTMEDIA Top 40/M KHKS (KISS). That the station was #1 again was axiomatic – it has been there every book this year. However, as recently as JUNE, its lead had shrunk to a mere two-tenths of a share. After landing its best number since MARCH (7.0-7.5) it has stretched its lead over its closest competitor to two-and-a-half shares. Moving into the chase position was SALEM Christian Contemporary KLTY, which had its best showing since there was lovely weather for a sleigh ride together (4.7-5.0). This dropped CUMULUS Country KPLX (THE WOLF) back to #3 as the station hunted down its lowest share in over a year (5.1-4.9). Cluster and format mate CUMULUS Country KSCS was off slightly (4.5-4.3) but remained at #4. Two stations were locked in arms at #5. CBS RADIO Classic Hits KLUV (K-LOVE) remained in place (3.9-4.0) while SERVICE Urban KKDA (K104) moved up one (3.8-4.0).
The top four stations 25-54 remained as they were last month. KHKS was your market leader with its highest total since APRIL and KLTY was the runner-up with its best number in over a year. KPLX held on at #3 with its lowest output in over a year while KSCS maintained its vise-like grip on #4 by being flat. A couple of rockers were on the move. iHEARTMEDIA Active Rock KEGL (THE EAGLE) swooped in from #8 to sink its talons into the #5 position. This forced cluster bro iHEARTMEDIA Classic Rock KZPS (LONE STAR) to move back to #6. This was the station’s version of a lump of coal as it posted its lowest share since the HOLIDAY survey.
For the last two books, KHKS added at least a share to its market-leading 18-34 total. This time it was only half as lucky but stretched its lead to almost three shares. In AUGUST it was less than half a share. KKDA used its best book since MARCH to fuel a two-step jump to #2. KPLX was flat and dropped to #3. KEGL earned leap-o-the-month honors after posting its best share since MAY. The station moved from a tie at #10 to #4. RADIO ONE Top 40/R KBFB (THE BEAT) dropped a couple of places to #5 while KSCS fell to #6.
Once again, it was a clean sweep for KHKS as the station copped 18-49 honors with its best book since MARCH. KEGL parlayed its best book since JUNE into a five-step leap to #2. KKDA returned to its previous form as it moved from #8 into a tie at #3 with KSCS, which dropped from #2 with a slight loss of share. KLTY returned to the top five for the first time since FEBRUARY with its highest share since JANUARY. The two stations that were tied at #2 last survey took quite the tumble this time. KPLX landed at #6 while KBFB occupied the #8 position. UNIVISION Regional Mexican KLNO (LA QUE BUENA) was off slightly as it dropped two spots to #7.
One additional note: RADIO ONE’s third station to change format to Classic Hip-Hop was KSOC (BOOM 94.5). The change happened on NOVEMBER 14th (day 9 of the DECEMBER survey), so we’ll need to wait until next month to see the initial effects.
That does it for this session. Any questions? If so, feel free to relay them to the Research Experts at RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INC. via any of the platforms below. In the meantime, set your DVR for our next exciting episode featuring HOUSTON-GALVESTON, WASHINGTON, DC, PHILADELPHIA, ATLANTA, and BOSTON.
E-mail: sallan@researchdirectorinc.com
TWITTER: @ResearchDirectr
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ResearchDirectorInc
Web: www.researchdirectorinc.com -
-